Sacramento Kings vs. LA Lakers Predictions 1/4/22

When: Tuesday, Jan. 4th, 2022, 10:30 pm (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Center, Los Angeles, CA

TV: NBA TV

Point Spread: SAC +7.5/LAL -7.5 (Opened at 7.5 ay Bovada – Check this place out for a 50% real cash bonus, rebates on ALL your wagers; win, lose or draw, FAST payouts and the most amazing live betting platform on the web! Top 3 online sportsbook!)

Total: 228.5 (Opened at 228.5)

Money Line: SAC +240/LAL -300

Power Rating: LAL -8

Probable Starting Lineups

Sacramento Kings: PG Tyrese Haliburton, PG De’Aaron Fox, SF Harrison Barnes, PF Marvin Bagley, C Damian Jones

Los Angeles Lakers: PG Russell Westbrook, PG Avery Bradley, SG Malik Monk, SF LeBron James, C Dwight Howard

Key Injuries

Sacramento Kings: F Robert Woodard *Out* (Illness), F Richaun Holmes *Out* (Covid), G Terence Davis *Questionable* (Ankle)

Los Angeles Lakers: F LeBron James *Probable* (Abdominal), F Anthony Davis *Out* (Knee), G Kendrick Nunn *Out* (Covid)

Recent Form

The Sacramento Kings are 16-22 and currently sit 10th in the Western Conference. The Kings are winners of three of their last four games, including Sunday’s 115-113 win over the Miami Heat. While Sacramento hasn’t been able to turn around their poor defensive tendencies, the offense has stepped up recently to give them wins in high-scoring shootout games. With their next four games against teams at or below a .500 record, the Kings can build off their streak of good games and get back into the mix in the West. Sacramento is led by De’Aaron Fox, who is averaging 20.3 points per game this season. Offensively, the Kings are 12th in the league, scoring 109.5 PPG. Defensively, the Kings are 28th, only ahead of the Hornets and Rockets, allowing 113.7 PPG.

The Los Angeles Lakers go into their matchup against the Kings with a 19-19 record and sit 8th in the Western Conference. After a rough stretch in the month of December, the Lakers have now won three of their last four games and got back to a .500 record. The Lakers are in the midst of a four-game homestand and will play the Kings in two of their next five games. LeBron continues to put up 30+ point games and is starting to get some help from teammates in their short upward trend. Lebron leads the Lakers in scoring with 28.5 PPG. Los Angeles moved back into the top 10 offensively with the 9th best scoring offense with 111.0 PPG. Defensively, the Lakers have struggled overall, though a recent trend up, sitting 26th in scoring defense, allowing 111.9 PPG.

Pace of Play

This Western Conference matchup features two teams in the top 5 of the league for pace. The Sacramento Kings are the 4th fastest team in the NBA at 103.9 possessions per game. The main factor in their fast pace is the number of shots they take and give up in a game. Sacramento is 8th for field goals attempted at 89.4 and last on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 92.0 attempts per game. Due to their lack of defense, the Kings’ strategy each night is to take a team to the ropes offensively and bank on making a few more shots than the other team. The Lakers are the fastest-paced team this season due to their turnover issues. Los Angeles remains in the bottom three teams for turnovers as they give the ball away 15.7 times per game. Usually, their turnovers are a point of emphasis in which I lean towards the other team, but the Kings are a team that hasn’t taken care of the ball very well this season either. Sacramento also sits in the bottom half of the league, averaging 14.4 turnovers per game. Given each team’s ball control problems, I’m giving the edge in pace to the Lakers for this one who will have extra possession chances, which is how they like to play anyway.

Kings Struggle on the Road

The Kings have had a rough season on the road with a 6-10 record away from Golden 1 Center. In recent games, the Kings have been playing worse and worse, having not secured a road win since the 1st of December against the Clippers. From a bettor’s perspective, the Kings are 7-9 ATS on the road, which isn’t terrible, but are 0-4 ATS in their last four games and 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a road underdog. The Kings have struggled to keep their road games close with a 17.3-point loss margin in their last three games, making it difficult for them to cover spreads. While the Lakers aren’t a team that has a strong home-court presence, their recent play has given them a spark which they will carry into this game against the Kings.

The Historicals

Tuesday night will be the third time these teams face off this season. The first two games took place back in November. Both of those games were split, with the road team coming away with the win. Looking back at recent seasons, the series has been back and forth as it is an even 4-4 in the last eight games.

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How the Public is Betting the Kings vs. Lakers

59% are betting the Kings against the spread.

55% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 228.5.

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The Sacramento Kings are 1-4 ATS in their last five games as road underdogs.
• The Sacramento Kings are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
• The Los Angeles Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite.
• The Los Angeles Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games.
• Over is 5-2 in the Kings’ last seven road games.
• Over is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last five games as a favorite.
• The Sacramento Kings are 4-0 ATS in their last four games at the Lakers.

Collin’s Pick for Kings/Lakers

This Tuesday night matchup features two Western Conference teams who have struggled in the first few months of the season. Both teams do come in winners of three of their last four games, though the Lakers have seen their success solely from the hot hand of LeBron James. In this high-scoring shootout between two teams that are among the worst defensively, the team with better shooters and scorers will ultimately win the game. I’m confident the Lakers will have a few lopsided runs go their way and run away with this game in the end. Take the Los Angeles Lakers to cover the 7.5-point spread. Bet your Kings vs. Lakers pick and ALL your NBA bets for free this week by taking advantage of a 100% REAL CASH bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $300 at MyBookie Sportsbook! (Must use bonus code PREDICT100 to receive the special bonus!)